A statement issued by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) calling out the Kenya Kwanza administration has triggered widespread reactions from political leaders, constitutional experts, and the public. The bishops’ criticism focused on issues of corruption, government promises, taxation, and alleged human rights violations, with many leaders offering their support or counter-arguments in response.
Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Aaron Cheruiyot, dismissed the bishops’ remarks, accusing them of making misleading claims about the government’s performance. Cheruiyot questioned the timing and substance of the statement, stating:
“I struggle to recall the last time Catholic Bishops issued such a scathing personal attack on former Presidents, who were Catholics. This was a purely political statement,” he remarked, adding that it lacked factual basis.
Kikuyu MP and Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, also expressed dissatisfaction with the bishops’ statements, particularly their assertions on corruption and the government’s failure to fulfill campaign promises. Ichung’wah, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), challenged the bishops to present any evidence of corruption within the legislature, urging them to submit such information to investigative agencies or name the individuals involved publicly.
“If you have evidence of corruption by legislators, share it with investigative agencies or name them publicly. Otherwise, such claims lack credibility,” Ichung’wah wrote. He also criticized the inclusion of the proposed bill to extend the presidential term limit to seven years, sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, calling the inclusion of the bill in the bishops’ statement a partisan move.
“The bill, which lacked support and is effectively dead, has no place in your statement. My Lord Bishops, the drafter of this statement is either misleading you or pursuing a partisan agenda,” he added.
Legal experts and other prominent figures have also weighed in on the issue. Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi advised the government to respond to the bishops’ criticism in a mature and measured way, suggesting that if the bishops’ concerns are valid, the government should self-correct, and if not, it should focus on delivering results for the people.
“If the bishops are truthful, take the criticism on board and self-correct. If not, ignore it and focus on delivering for Kenyans. The combative response by government agencies is counterproductive,” Abdullahi remarked.
Former UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi also joined the debate, stating on Citizen TV that the bishops’ concerns were legitimate. “The Catholic bishops are raising legitimate concerns. Kenyans know who the real liars are—they’ve been here for the past two and a half years,” Kituyi said, calling on the government to engage constructively with criticism.
The public’s reaction to the bishops’ statement has been mixed. On one hand, some netizens expressed support for the bishops, applauding them for highlighting issues such as corruption, over-taxation, human rights violations, and the state of healthcare. A commenter on X, Jim Njue, expressed frustration over the labeling of critics from the Mt. Kenya region, particularly Archbishop Anthony Muheria. “Anyone from Mt. Kenya who criticizes this government is labeled a tribalist, including Archbishop Anthony Muheria. We will wear that label proudly,” he wrote.
On the other hand, some social media users criticized the bishops’ stance, accusing them of partisanship. “The Catholic Church told the government to stop lying, and the government responded with more lies,” remarked Abubakar Abdullahi on Facebook.
Others, however, lauded the bishops for their courage. “Catholic Bishops are true servants of God. They speak the truth and fear no one except God,” wrote Cornelius Ronoh on X.
As the conversation continues, the growing scrutiny of the government’s performance nearly three years into its term highlights the increasing polarization of public opinion. The government’s response to the bishops’ concerns remains a key point of debate, with multiple government agencies issuing press releases to address the issues raised.
The bishops’ statement is part of an ongoing national conversation about the direction the country is taking under the current administration and the role of religious institutions in shaping public policy.
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